Hundreds Of Armor-Clad Scots March The Streets Of Shetland

Scotland's annual Up Helly Aa festival took place in the town of Lerwick on the Shetland Islands on Tuesday, marking the end of the yule season and midwinter's darkest days. The popular celebration of the influence of Scandinavian Vikings dates back to the 1880s and continues to attract hundreds of spectators.

As many as 1,000 costumed men, or "guizers," bearing shields and weapons marched through the streets of Lerwick together, the BBC reports. Participants paraded to the Royal British Legion and the Shetland Museum, led by a distinguished group of guizers called the Jarl Squad.

Each year, the festivities come to a fiery close when the guizers set a replica of a Viking longboat ablaze with their torches.

Photos from this year's event show joyous crowds of bearded, armor-clad men as they make their way through the town's streets. Take a look at the celebrations below.